(file photo/ farmnewsNOW Staff)

By farmnewsNOW Staff

Carbon tax

APAS ‘disappointed’ by carbon tax ruling

May 3, 2019 | 5:00 PM

A group representing Saskatchewan farmers believes a ruling by Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, supporting the federal carbon tax, is not the end of the story.

Todd Lewis, President of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), stressed the appeal is now going to the Supreme Court of Canada.

“It’s certainly not a short game, it’s more of a long-term game and this is just the beginning of a long fight, ” he said.

In a three-to-two decision, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the federal government, declaring the tax constitutional.

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APAS argued farmers and ranchers are unable to pass along the costs of the carbon tax, and it will only serve to harm their businesses, without addressing carbon emissions. Lewis said his team was still going through the decision and would have more details in the coming week(s), but added he would keep talking to the federal government about exemptions for farmers.

“Just giving them a better understanding of what Saskatchewan agriculture really does as far as managing carbon,” he said.

Lewis also pointed to the upcoming federal election as a decision point for Canadians on the carbon tax, but he would not say whether APAS would be endorsing anyone.

“We don’t put politicians into or out of office, We deal with whoever is there,” he said.

APAS was the only farm organization that sought and was granted intervenor status in order to support the province’s position in court. Lewis said the organization felt it was vital agricultural producers were represented.

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